MVCC History

Manchester Vineyard History

The Manchester Vineyard began in 1999 as an informal young adult Bible study held in a home that was part of Shiloh Christian Fellowship in Manchester, NH (now Shiloh Community Church). Over its first year, the meeting outgrew the home setting, with as many as 40 people crammed into a 16 x 20 family room and overflowing into the kitchen. In the fall of 2000, we moved to a former bar called the Silver Dollar Saloon on the west side of Manchester at the foot of Bridge Street. At that time, the group adopted the name “The Bridge.” The attendees were primarily in their 20’s and were both non-church attendees and those affiliated with various churches in and around Manchester, NH.

We opened The Bridge Coffeehouse and operated as a musical venue for bands, singers and songwriters every Friday night, with a worship and bible discussion on Sundays. The music venue was known as Sacred Jam. The group often took their meetings out to the streets, holding worship in Manchester’s Veterans Park. After meeting weekly for a period of two years, the group grew in number with a core of people that felt that this was their church. In the fall of 2002, after a long time of prayer and discussions, it was decided by the group, along with the support of local pastors, that the group become a distinct church congregation with its own mission, purpose and fellowship community. Thus, a Sunday morning meeting began, and The Bridge Community Church was formed.

Through 2003, the church met in a home and a restaurant on Sundays. In 2004, the church leased its first dedicated facility on Lowell St. in Manchester, NH, and a year later moved to a larger location across the street. The church has maintained a commitment to remain an urban church in the city of Manchester and not to be located in the suburbs. Many of our congregation live in the city of Manchester itself. We are committed to serving residents of this city in word and through service.

In January of 2007, the church joined the Association of Vineyard Churches, an international movement of churches dedicated to displaying the Kingdom of God in the earth. The church changed its corporate name to Manchester Vineyard Community Church in February 2007.

In June of 2009 we moved to 150 Dow Street into 10,000 sq. ft. with high ceilings and lots of light. Tremendous generosity on the part of our landlord and numerous financial blessings, along with an incredible team effort of volunteer work by our church members allowed us to complete the work necessary in an unbelievable 52 days. Manchester Vineyard is so thankful for our new facilities. We look forward to meeting you when you visit our new home!

We continue to enjoy and be challenged by the amazing journey of following Jesus and learning how to be His people in the earth, but most importantly, how to be His people in Manchester, New Hampshire.